PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles’ defense has bent, leaked and answered back. Each week has brought deep shots, injuries and rookies thrown into the fire. Through it all, coordinator Vic Fangio’s group has been uneven but unbeaten, carrying a 4-0 record into Sunday’s matchup against Denver.
The 31–25 win in Tampa Bay last Sunday was another snapshot of this unit: not flawless, but functional. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 289 yards, including a 77-yard strike to Emeka Egbuka, and Tampa hit field goals from 65 and 58 yards.
Fangio pointed to the NFL’s new kicking-ball procedures as part of the equation. “These kicking balls … have drastically changed the field goals,” he said. “The guy in Dallas (Brandon Aubrey) is going to hit a 70-plus yarder this year. You can just book it.”
Despite the lapses, the Eagles closed when it mattered. Second-year cornerback Quinyon Mitchell blanketed receivers, allowing two catches on nine targets, breaking up five passes and earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
By the numbers
The defensive profile through four weeks is solid, if unspectacular:
• Passing defense: 78 completions on 137 attempts for 860 yards — 6.3 per attempt.
• Rushing defense: 504 yards on 105 carries, 4.8 per rush.
• Sacks: 9.
• Points allowed: 88 overall, 22.0 per game, 15th in the league.
That’s middle of the pack: no collapse and no dominance — yet no losses. Fangio dismissed concern about sacks. “I don’t think our rush has been bad,” he said. “The ball’s been coming out pretty quick at times. Sacks are sacks.”
Youth in the fire
Much of the defense runs through rookies and second-year players (which, in this case, is a tribute to strong drafting the past two years). Rookie safety Andrew Mukuba is now a full-time starter, but Fangio was blunt about a 72-yard touchdown miscue against the Bucs, in which he came off his assignment and got turned around: “He has to play his deep zone.”
Linebacker Jihaad Campbell continues to learn next to Zack Baun, though Nakobe Dean is back at practice after starting the season on the PUP list. Campbell, who has been impressive overall, got torched on a 77-yard Tampa TD.
Kelee Ringo, age 23 out of Georgia, has been tested at corner and filled in for veteran free-agent Adoree’ Jackson last week. Fangio gave Ringo decent marks. “Good, I thought he did good. He can be better. … Pretty sticky in man coverage. I’d like to see his tackling improve.”
The CB2 position is unsettled even when Jackson is healthy.
Asked about starting so many young players, Fangio offered an old line: “Bud Grant used to say for every rookie you play you can add one to your loss column. I don’t necessarily agree … but that’s what he used to say.”
Edge depth thinning
Injuries have taken a toll on the edge. Ogbo Okoronkwo (triceps) went on injured reserve, joining Nolan Smith, but Okoronkwo could be out for most of the season. That leaves Za’Darius Smith, Josh Uche, and Azeez Ojulari (yet to be activated) responsible for most of the snaps.
“The numbers are dwindling,” Fangio said. “If we need more, I’m sure Howie (general manager Howie Roseman) will get something done.”
Inside, Jalen Carter is grinding through a shoulder injury. Fangio said it sometimes forces Carter off the field but praised his toughness: “There’s no doubt he’s fighting through an injury and I thought he played well the other day in spite of that.”
A.J. Brown vs. Seth Joyner
Perhaps the week’s loudest subplot came from wide receiver A.J. Brown firing back at Eagles legend Seth Joyner, a three-time Pro Bowl linebacker of the Buddy Ryan era.
After the win in Tampa, Brown declined postgame interviews and posted a cryptic Bible verse on social media about shrugging and going on his way when not listened to. By Monday, Joyner was on 94.1-FM WIP telling Brown to knock it off: “A.J. needs to stop posting things like he posted yesterday and draw his strength … handle it in-house.”
Joyner also posted, in all caps: “THIS IS WHAT I HATE WITH THE #AJBROWN NARRATIVE! STOP FORCING THE FREAKING FOOTBALL TO HIM AND GIVE IT TO WHO IS OPEN!! ITS AN IRRESPONSIBLE WAY TO RUN YOUR OFFENSE! GEEZ”
By midweek, Brown clarified and took accountability for his tweet, taking questions from reporters for more than 7 minutes at his locker. He also fired back at Joyner online in a tweet he later deleted:
“@sethjoyner the audacity of you telling someone to do their job. My stats every year backs that up that I’m doing mine. How about you do your job and call out the bs but you won’t because they’re paying you so you have to play along and be a good boy. These old heads can be trip boy.”
Joyner — an ultra-blunt and often brilliant analyst who never minces words — doubled down online:
“Don’t delete what you say, stand on it, and let’s talk about it! The audacity of the truth is what we’re dealing with! The TEAM is 4-0!”Joyner wrote, reminding Brown and the fan base to keep the focus on results.
Fair enough, even if Joyner is looking for a top-tier guest and ratings, but Brown did take accountability this week. Also, some creative play-calling and usage could help Brown and the offense as a whole. There has literally been zero creativity in scheming him open or even getting him easy catches off of which to create. Joyner should recognize this fact, even if he comes from the defensive side of the ball.
Injury at long snapper
Veteran long snapper Charley Hughlett (core), whom the Eagles signed in the offseason, was placed on injured reserve and is expected to be out a couple months. Kicker Jake Elliott has made all 16 of his kicks during the first four games (4-for-4 on field goals, including three from 50 yards or beyond, and 12-for-12 on PATs), while Braden Mann has a huge gross punting average of 52.9 yards and a net of 41.6.
Denver challenge
The Broncos arrive with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, whom Fangio likened to Mayfield. “He might be Baker’s younger brother … scrambler, competitor, throws the ball in tight places.”
He also praised coach Sean Payton’s offense. “They’re very multiple on offense … but still has a good bit of old school in him. They like the power game and the run game. He’s really good. He’s tough to go against.”
The assignment: limit explosives, control the ground game, and force Nix into long drives. With edge depth thin, the Eagles must manufacture pressure with interior push and disguised looks, while Mitchell and DeJean steady the coverage.
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NOTES: TE Grant Calcaterra (illness) didn’t practice Thursday. Limited were LB Nakobe Dean (knee) and TE Dallas Goedert (knee). DT Jalen Carter (shoulder), CB Adoree’ Jackson (groin) and RT Lane Johnson (shoulder) were full participants.
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Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.
Source: Berkshire mont
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